Page 82 of Terms and Traditions

Her nod was jerky but determined. “I need to chase this passion. Stop being afraid and take a chance.”

“I’m proud of you, Steph.”

Her face glowed with pleasure at the words. Maybe she hadn’t heard them enough, but I’d keep telling her until she believed it.

“But I’m not leaving you in a lurch,” she said.

I shook my head. “As much as I love having you make my life simpler, I’m not going to stand in the way of this new venture. You can work as long as you want, and then we can find a replacement when your bookings get full-time.”

“When?”

“Of course. There’s no if about it, darlin’.” I smiled encouragingly and finished my last bite of penne. “How about dessert?”

She leaned back in her seat, hands draped over her stomach as indecision warred on her face. “You have no idea how much I want to say yes.” Her cheeks puffed adorably. “But I don’t think I could eat another bite.”

“To go then?”

“I love you.” Stephanie froze, sparkling eyes wide. Her mouth softened into a perfect O. Perfect for kissing.

My pulse thrummed in my ears, and I swallowed hard. Wow, what? Was that just an expression because of the dessert? Did she actually mean it? I’d wanted to hear those words for what felt like forever.

Stephanie’s expression shifted from surprised to gentle, her posture relaxing. “I love you, Nash Prescott. I know it might be too soon to say it, but I’ve known it for a long time.”

“It’s definitely not too soon,” I said huskily. “Because I love you, too. And my one Christmas wish was to make you fall in love with me.” Lifting her hand to my lips, I kissed her knuckles because we were in public after all. Then I motioned to our waiter. “What do you say? One lime white chocolate cheesecake to go?”

She laughed, and I could get drunk on the sound. It was heady and addicting, and I wanted to listen to it for a lifetime.

When I walked her to her door half an hour later, she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “Thank you,” she whispered into my woolen coat.

“For the cheesecake?”

Stephanie snorted. “For tonight. For everything.” She tipped her chin up to meet my gaze, her features soft in the warm porchlight. “For fighting for us.”

“Anything for you.”

“Anything?” she challenged, arching an eyebrow.

“Anything,” I affirmed. “Even a new last name.” This was daring territory. Our relationship was still new, and I was trying not to push her too hard.

“Oh?”

“I know of one up for grabs. It’s just waiting for the right woman.”

Her jaw slackened, and I caught the sharp intake of air, but her lips twitched in a hidden smile.

Leaning down to whisper in her ear, I added, “Now, about that kiss?”

Stephanie huffed a laugh and shoved my chest lightly. “I have one more surprise for you first.”

Our noses brushed. So close. “Not sure I can handle any more shocks, darlin’.”

“Oh, you’ll like this one. I told you I had information, and it’s the name of the mole in Genesis.”

I froze, ice and fire licking my veins. “You got a name? How? The IT guys couldn’t come up with anything.”

She dug around in her purse and held up a folded pink sticky note and a USB stick in the faint light. “In a surprising turn of events, Zara left these in my bag. I checked it out, and it’s legit.” She paused. “It’s Samantha.”

Stephanie shrieked when I swung her up into a hug and kissed her, relief coursing through me as I cupped the curve of her cheek. Savouring the moment. Relishing in her sweetness as her hands slid over my shoulders to my neck.